In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic upended much of daily life, including the legislative process in Wisconsin. During the last legislative session, three pieces of important WRA legislation did not reach the Wisconsin Senate floor due to the pandemic. With the current 2021-22 legislative session now underway, all three bills are now making their way through the legislative process.

Legislation at stake

AB 37/SB 46: Restore the Right to Place a Pier of Flowages

This bill clarifies the right to place a pier on “man-made” waterways and flowages. The bill creates a presumption of riparian rights, including the placement of a pier on all waterfront property, including “man-made” waterways and flowages. 

AB 57/SB 74: Improve Home Inspection Reports

One of the biggest disputes between buyers and sellers in a real estate transaction is whether a condition of the property constitutes a “defect.” This legislation requires new registrants to complete a 40-hour course before taking the exam, allows qualified reciprocal applicant home inspectors to obtain a registration, requires home inspectors to use the word “defect” in the inspection report when it meets the statutory definition, and requires a summary page to be included in the report.  

AB 65/SB 73: Modify Disclosure Reports

AB 65 makes modifications to Chap. 709 including returning earnest money after exercising the right to rescind, any seller condition report with strikethroughs and no responses to questions is deemed incomplete, clarification as to disclosures pertains to private not public rights of way, and a new FIRPTA question is added.

Status

All three bills have been introduced and received a committee hearing. Once these bills pass through committee, they will then be scheduled for floor action in both houses of the Legislature.